Calculating your take-home pay in the Badger State involves several layers of taxation. Wisconsin uses a progressive income tax system, meaning higher earners pay a higher percentage of their income in state taxes. This calculator provides an estimate based on current 2024 tax brackets and federal withholding standards.
Wisconsin Income Tax Brackets (2024)
For single filers in Wisconsin, the tax rates are structured as follows:
3.50% on the first $14,320 of taxable income.
4.40% on income between $14,321 and $28,640.
5.30% on income between $28,641 and $315,310.
7.65% on income over $315,310.
Federal Taxes and FICA
Regardless of which state you live in, the federal government collects Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) taxes, collectively known as FICA. Additionally, federal income tax is withheld based on your filing status and annual earnings. Pre-tax deductions, such as 401(k) contributions or health insurance premiums, are subtracted from your gross pay before income taxes are calculated, which can lower your overall tax liability.
Example Calculation
If you earn an annual salary of $60,000 in Wisconsin and file as single:
Gross Pay: $5,000 monthly.
FICA: Approximately $4,590 per year.
Wisconsin Tax: Estimated at $2,642 per year.
Federal Tax: Estimated based on standard deductions.
Net Pay: Your actual check will reflect these deductions, resulting in your "take-home" amount.
function calculateWisconsinPaycheck() {
var grossAnnual = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossPay").value);
var frequency = parseFloat(document.getElementById("payFrequency").value);
var status = document.getElementById("filingStatus").value;
var preTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById("preTax").value) || 0;
if (isNaN(grossAnnual) || grossAnnual <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid gross annual salary.");
return;
}
var taxableGross = grossAnnual – preTaxDeductions;
if (taxableGross < 0) taxableGross = 0;
// 1. FICA Tax (7.65%)
var fica = taxableGross * 0.0765;
// 2. Federal Income Tax (2024 Simplified Brackets – Single)
var fedTax = 0;
var standardDeduction = (status === "single") ? 14600 : 29200;
var federalTaxable = taxableGross – standardDeduction;
if (federalTaxable < 0) federalTaxable = 0;
if (status === "single") {
if (federalTaxable <= 11600) fedTax = federalTaxable * 0.10;
else if (federalTaxable <= 47150) fedTax = 1160 + (federalTaxable – 11600) * 0.12;
else if (federalTaxable <= 100525) fedTax = 5426 + (federalTaxable – 47150) * 0.22;
else fedTax = 17168 + (federalTaxable – 100525) * 0.24;
} else {
if (federalTaxable <= 23200) fedTax = federalTaxable * 0.10;
else if (federalTaxable <= 94300) fedTax = 2320 + (federalTaxable – 23200) * 0.12;
else if (federalTaxable <= 201050) fedTax = 10852 + (federalTaxable – 94300) * 0.22;
else fedTax = 34337 + (federalTaxable – 201050) * 0.24;
}
// 3. Wisconsin State Tax (2024 Brackets)
var wiTax = 0;
if (status === "single") {
if (taxableGross <= 14320) wiTax = taxableGross * 0.035;
else if (taxableGross <= 28640) wiTax = 501.2 + (taxableGross – 14320) * 0.044;
else if (taxableGross <= 315310) wiTax = 1131.28 + (taxableGross – 28640) * 0.053;
else wiTax = 16324.79 + (taxableGross – 315310) * 0.0765;
} else {
if (taxableGross <= 19090) wiTax = taxableGross * 0.035;
else if (taxableGross <= 38190) wiTax = 668.15 + (taxableGross – 19090) * 0.044;
else if (taxableGross <= 420420) wiTax = 1508.55 + (taxableGross – 38190) * 0.053;
else wiTax = 21766.74 + (taxableGross – 420420) * 0.0765;
}
var totalDeductionsAnnual = fica + fedTax + wiTax;
var netAnnual = grossAnnual – totalDeductionsAnnual – preTaxDeductions;
// Display Per Period Results
document.getElementById("resGross").innerText = "$" + (grossAnnual / frequency).toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("resFedTax").innerText = "-$" + (fedTax / frequency).toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("resStateTax").innerText = "-$" + (wiTax / frequency).toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("resFica").innerText = "-$" + (fica / frequency).toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("resNet").innerText = "$" + (netAnnual / frequency).toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("resultsArea").style.display = "block";
}